Leila's POV

What do I wear?!

The question kept on replaying itself in my mind whilst I rummaged through my clothes. We had already eaten our breakfast, and now Emilia and Mr Carter were already waiting for me.

It was my off day but I didn't want to not look professional. I was looking for something that screamed 'RESPONSIBLE BUT CAN STILL HAVE FUN'. I turned around in a circles and looked again. A red sundress caught my attention. Thanking God for giving me the choice of the day, I quickly wore it. I twirled around in front of my full body mirror, making sure that I looked good.

Smiling to myself, I took my hand purse and left the room. When I got downstairs, Emilia was watching TV.

"Let's go, little one."

I took hold of her hand and led her outside. Mr Carter was in his car, waiting for us. He seemed to be looking at something in his hands, then he looked up to us. His gaze remained fixed on us, making me feel self conscious. I just hoped that I hadn't overdressed.

Emilia went to the back while I sat at the front. The car roared to life and we were on our way. As we got closer to the carnival, the screams of kids and sounds of laughter got louder. The little one could hardly contain herself at the backseat, which made me laugh at how carefree she was.

Mr Carter parked the car and we got out. We bought our tickets at the booth and went in. Mr Carter won a teddy bear for Emilia, and she decided to call it Sir Pibbles. I laughed then, wondering where this little child got such crazy names and wild imagination.

She had asked to go on the merry-go-round, and we sat down on a bench. Mr Carter stood from his spot and left me there alone without a word. I took out my phone and saw a text from Tori.

Tori: Having fun at the carnival? 😏

Me: Yeah.....i didn't necessarily come here to play myself. Emilia's the one who's enjoying herself.

Tori: Why don't you go have fun too? It's not a crime and besides, it's your day off. Play with Mr Carter or something 😂😂.

Me: I'm sure you hit your head. Why would I play with him?

Tori: I saw him at church that day. Why would you not want to play with him? He's BEAUTIFUL 😍.

ME: Remember, you have a boyfriend.

Tori: 🙄😒. Don't be such a buzz kill. All I'm saying is it's your day off, and you're stranded at a carnival with a handsome man, who is also single.

Me: He's my employer, okay, not a handsome man that I just so happened to stumble upon. I'm gonna stop taking to you now.

I put my phone in the purse and looked around. A man was walking towards me, one I'd never seen before. He was handsome, wearing a plain blue shirt with black jeans. He came in front of me a few feet away and smiled.

"Hey. I just couldn't help but notice you from afar and I wondered why a beautiful woman like you is sitting all alone at a carnival. Mind if I sit?"

"She's with me."

Mr Carter appeared out of nowhere, and sat next to me. He had two ice creams in his hands, his gaze pinned on the handsome stranger.

"Oh, sorry man. I didn't know she was taken."

The stranger winked at me, and walked away, his stride full of confidence. The clearing of a throat brought my attention back on Mr Carter, who had a frown on his face as he handed me the ice cream.

"Thank you, Mr Carter."

He nodded his head and began to eat his ice cream. After a little while, he spoke.

"Adam."

I turned to look at him, confused.

"What?"

"You don't need to keep calling me Mr Carter. My name's Adam. Use that from now on, okay?"

Shocked, I just looked at him. I shook my head, allowing myself to get back to my senses.

"Oh.......um, okay. You can call me Leila, then?"

He laughed then, making me feel all warm inside that I was able to make him laugh. I smiled to myself. After what felt like forever, Emilia came running towards us. When she saw our ice creams, she frowned.

"Where's my ice cream?"

Mr- I mean, Adam stood up and took her hand, taking her to the ice cream stand. He stopped and looked at me.

"Why are you still sitting there? Let's go."

Embarrassed, I stood up and followed them. After Emilia had her ice cream, Adam carried her on his shoulders and she held onto his head for support. We got pictures taken, and I took some for myself. The day had been an exciting one, and I didn't want to forget it.

We left the carnival and went to get our lunch. We went to the theatre and watched a couple of movies till it got dark. Emilia still wanted to have fun, so we went a took a stroll in the park. Adam played about with his daughter, happiness blooming from the both of them.

Where had the mean Mr Carter disappeared off to? Was he on a vacation??

He let her walk in front of us, while we walked side by side.

"You have a beautiful daughter, Adam. You treat her so well."

He smiled, his gaze on his daughter. You could see the admiration in his eyes. He truly loved his daughter.

"She's my world. I am so grateful to have her. I sometimes wonder what good deed I did in my life to get her."

I smiled then, remembering that that was what my father  told me once.

"God gives to those in need. It doesn't matter what good thing you did, if you ask me."

He looked at me then, like he was connecting some dots in his mind.

"You're right, Leila. Absolutely right."

I smiled a little, suddenly feeling shy because of his arresting grey gaze. I looked in front of us, to see that Emilia was not there anymore.

"Emilia?!"

There was no reply. Adam began to look around, frantically calling out her name. We walked about until I looked behind a huge tree, only to see her crouching down with a mischievous smile on her face.

"There you are! We've been looking for you everywhere!!"

I took her hand and walked back to the pathway. Adam spotted us and walked briskly towards us. He took Emilia in his arms and squeezed her tight. He put her down and unexpectedly gave me a hug too. His cologne hit me, and I couldn't help but lose my head in its presence. It was not too strong, but it held you captive to its beauty. His strong arms held me close, the close contact making the butterflies in my stomach flutter about.

He then let me go, his eyes wide while he looked at me. I just looked at him too, not really knowing what to say about it all.

"Um....thank you for finding her. I was afraid that I'd lost her."

I shook my head, not wanting to make the situation any more uncomfortable than it was right now.

"It's okay. I.....I was just helping out."

He nodded, took Emilia's hand and they began to walk together. I began to walk then, a few feet behind them, bringing my thoughts back in one place. However, I knew then, that when he hugged me, something changed within me. My thoughts weren't only about him being my employer anymore, and that scared me.

†††††

My Immortal Flowers 🌻!!!!

Sorry for making this chapter shorter than usual. Don't kill me!!😂😂❤️